Group Programs

Montgomery Parks COVID-19 Information

Montgomery Parks' has currently closed all indoor park facilities to the public, our skate park, and the cancelation of all programs, classes, and events through June 30, 2020. To learn more, and prior to visiting any of our parks or trails, we ask that you visit MontgomeryParks.org/COVID-19 for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions. Please enjoy some of our Explore From Home programming and our new Montgomery Parks Trailheads with Parking Map.

Meadowside Nature Center offers weekday programs for school groups, scouts, and other organized groups. *All group programs are available in Spanish upon request.

Discovering Wildlife

Exploring HabitatsPlants and animals need food, water, shelter, and space. Students will investigate the four elements of a good habitat. Find out how human beings affect and are affected by natural habitats. Learn what we can do to protect the homes of our wildlife neighbors. Explore several outdoor habitats and look for signs of the animals that live there.Grade Level: Preschool – 2nd

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

K: ESS3-1, LS1-1

1st Grade: LS1-1

2nd Grade: LS4-1

Adaptations and SurvivalDiscover adaptations, life cycles, patterns, food availability, and survival strategies for the wildlife that call Montgomery County home. Teachers may request an emphasis on amphibians/reptiles, insects/bugs, birds, or butterflies.Grade Level: Preschool – 4th

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

K: LS1-1

1st Grade: LS1-1, LS1-2, LS3-1

2nd Grade: ESS1-1, LS4-1

3rd Grade: LS1-1, LS3-1

4th Grade: LS1-1

Adaptations and Energy Flow: It Came From Above (Birds of Prey)
What makes birds of prey such successful hunters? Learn about food webs and the adaptations of these magnificent predators. Discover what they teach us about the world they inhabit. Learn about their feeding habits through an owl pellet dissection activity.Grade Level: 4th – 12th

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

3rd Grade: LS3-1, LS4-4

4th Grade: LS1-1, LS1-2, ESS2-1

5th Grade: ESS3-1

MS: LS2-1, LS2-2

HS: LS2-6, LS2-8, LS4-6

Physical Science

Changing SeasonsFall, winter, spring, and summer—each season has its own blend of natural events and weather. Compare and contrast the characteristics of each season, and go outdoors to search for signs of the season. Learn about the many ways people, plants, and animals are affected and adapt to weather and seasonal change.Grade Level: Preschool – 1st

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

K: ESS2-1, ESS3-1, LS1-1

1st Grade: LS1-1, LS1-2

People and Places

Human Activity Over Time: Native Ways
Experience the daily life of Eastern Woodland Indians as they lived in our area over 1,000 years ago. Explore where they found shelter, how they prepared food, what they wore, and children’s roles. Discover the importance of certain plants and animals, and how deeply the Woodland Indians were connected to the natural world. Learn how they obtained tools, clothing, and food from plants, animals, bones, and stones.Grade Level: Preschool – 4th

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

K: ESS3-1

Celestial Patterns and Navigation: Geocache Adventure
Journey to the planets by embarking on your own geocaching adventure along the meadows, forest, and streams of Rock Creek Regional Park. Each geocache along the journey is filled with fun facts about our solar system.Grade Level: 5th – 12th

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

5th Grade: ESS1-1, ESS1-2

MS: ESS1-1, ESS1-2, ESS2-6, ESS3-3, LS2-1, LS2-2, PS4-3

Weather and Climate

It’s Getting Hot out There
Investigate the impacts of rising temperatures on the people and wildlife of our area. Using infrared thermometers outside, students will see firsthand how groundcover influences temperature. They’ll also learn what principles guide their findings and how the Urban Heat Island effect can be mitigated. *This program can be conducted at your school or the nature center; travel fee of $50 may apply*Grade Level: 7th – 9th

Meets the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS: ESS2-5, ESS2-6, ESS3-3, ESS3-4, ESS3-5

HS: ESS2-2, ESS2-4, ESS3-3, ESS3-4, ESS3-5, ESS3-6

Tips for a Successful Trip

We suggest a 5:1 student-to-adult chaperone ratio.

Chaperones are responsible for supervision and appropriate behavior of all students in their group.

Do you have lunch plans? We do not allow food or drink inside the nature center. Ask about our first-come, first-served picnic pavilion.

Registration Information

What is the cost? $6 per student for an hour-long program. Some programs have a supplemental materials and/or activity fee.

To support Montgomery County schools in meeting the Maryland Environmental Literacy Graduation Requirement, environmental programs for all K-12 Montgomery County students are FREE! Supplemental materials and/or activity fee may still apply.

Please note our Native Ways program has a fee of $6/student

Program requests are accepted up to a year in advance.

Have several program dates and times in mind when calling for reservations in case your first choice is unavailable.

Programs are available Tuesday through Friday.

Program times start on the half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

A $60 non-refundable deposit for all preschools and out-of-county groups is due for each program three weeks prior to the date you reserve.

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